Become the Better You in 2018!

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Out with the old and on with the new! The start of a new year is hopeful and promising to many people. It signifies an opportunity to start fresh. It represents a clean slate. The disappointments, frustrations, or failures of the previous year are forgotten and replaced with hopes, dreams, and possibilities of a new year. But, what about the learnings from the past year? How did the setbacks reset you for the unexpected? 

I challenge you to look at the year of 2018 a little differently. 2018 is not about becoming a new person but being transformed into The Better You. Becoming a better you can be defined as evolving into the you that aligns with your journey, your growth, and your goals.  

These steps will help you get on the right track to evolve into the transformed and better you.

1.)   Explore the Patterns of Your Past and Learn from Them. The definition of insanity has been described as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It’s time to get off the hamster wheel. Revisit your goals from last year. Write down what you accomplished that you set out to do and where you missed your goal. First, celebrate your successes (woohoo)! For the goal you missed, think about the hindrances that kept you from achieving it (fear, procrastination, time management, lack of patience, lack of resources, etc.). What will you do differently to overcome the hindrances of your past? Learn from the lessons from your past so that they will not be in vain. Now, let’s develop a plan to move forward. 

2.)   Write Your Long-Term Vision and Make It Happen. There is power in writing down your vision. Think beyond just one year. Think long-term. What goals do you have for your life? What do you want your legacy to be when you leave this earth? Take some time to pray and ask God what He has for your life. Allow yourself time to reflect and explore these answers. Don't rush this process! And when you discover the answer, write it down! The odds you of achieving your goals increases exponentially when you document your goals. Some people like creating a vision board, whereas others just write it on paper. It doesn’t matter the final product, but make sure you document it and put it in a place where you can see it daily. Each year, you should work on goals that align with the bigger picture of the vision for your life.

3.)   Make Your Passion Your Hobby. If you find yourself becoming bored or if you are spending endless hours surfing the net or watching television, turn this less productive time into power packed learning experiences. Use this time to research how you can achieve your career aspirations and goals. Provide yourself with a Power Hour at least once per week to watch videos on YouTube as well as read articles related to what you would love to become. Make a list of those individuals you admire and research how they achieved their success. By making your passion your hobby, you will see an increased return on your time investment. 

4.)   Test New Circles. Try finding Meet-up groups and or events on Eventbrite that align with your vision and goals. Growth is all about experience and exposure. Therefore, exposing yourself to new people and experiences is a great way to get advice, observe other’s in action, and expand your network of opportunities. If meeting new people seems a bit overwhelming, start by joining Facebook and LinkedIn groups based on your area of interest to gain insight on best practices and the perspective of others. 

5.)   Volunteer and Transform. Volunteering for organizations that align with your passion and vision is not only a great way to give back but also a way to perfect your craft. Be inspired by the environment of giving and learning. You may have heard the saying, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, leave the room.” I do not like that saying… AT ALL! I believe, if you’re the smartest in the room, stay in the room and mentor those around you. Pour into others and trust me, they will pour into you. Also, volunteering is a way to practice your craft. For example, if you want to enhance your leadership skills, volunteer for leadership events or take on leadership roles in your volunteer organizations. Not only will you get the opportunity to help others but it will also expose you to other leadership styles and receive experiential learning that you may not receive at your job. 

6.)   Make Time to Feed Your Body and Mind. Here’s a simple equation. 30 x 3 and 10 x 7. First, take at least 30 mins per day 3 times per week to go for a walk. It can be outside or on the treadmill. Use your phone as a mobile leadership device. Meaning, instead of listening to your favorite jams, tune into a podcast or YouTube video that teaches you more about the area that you would like to develop.

The next part of the equation appears easy but it can be difficult. I encourage you to take 10 minutes each day for silence. With the rush and busyness of life, silencing the "noise" change be challenging. But these quiet moments allow you time to listen to your heart. Pick a day and time that works for your schedule and have a re-occurring appointment. If you struggle with 10 minutes of silence, then start with 5 minutes and work up to 10 mins. Some days may be difficult for you to focus. That’s ok. The key is to reset and try again the next day. In your quiet time, write down whispers from your spirit. Evaluate these themes and how they relate to #2.  

2018 is the year you transform the what could be to what is. Build upon the past and transform for your future. Let’s make 2018 the year you are driven by the hope in your heart to achieve your goals and career aspirations. I’m excited for you and what is to come! I would love to hear how these steps helped you transform into the better you for 2018! Keep me posted. 

“Our goal is to help you achieve yours!”-Journey Unlimited 

Contact me for a strategy to Transform into The Better You for 2018!